BY DR. WILLIAM FORSTER, RETIRING PRESIDENT VENANGO COUNTY MEDICAL
SOCIETY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Though at best societies in their present form are not very old, medical
associations, differing somewhat in their organization and aim, are as
old as the science of medicine itself. Even in the fabulous ages it had
its heroes, and some rose to the height of deification. In earlier ages
those who practiced medicine were looked upon as inspired. They, in
addition to belonging to a profession, constituted a class or caste. In
some Asiatic nations, and among some of our Indian tribes, it is very
much the same at present.
One must belong to the caste, or be able to trace his descent from it,
as a necessary qualification to practice medicine.
This is the earliest form of a medical society, and though it may not
possess many progressive elements, it has elements of strength.
What few investigations it did make, it kept. Its peculiar organization
and position fitted it for being a good conservator; and when the star
of empire took its western course, the tide of medical knowledge stored
up and held sacred and secret in Asia, Egypt and Greece, flowed out and
was diffused over five continents.
Hippocrates, about twenty-five hundred years ago, took the light from
under a bushel. About three hundred years later the great Alexandrian
school or society—for it was a society as well as a school—trimmed the
light and set it higher, but it was so obscured and encompassed with
exclusiveness and secrecy as to be a long time in reaching the masses.
The first societies in Germany, France and Great Britain were in
connection with their institutions of learning, as they were at an
earlier period in Egypt and Greece. In Rome we have reason to believe
that they were more independent, as the physicians used a society seal
as a label for their medicine. Truly independent society organization
and work is comparatively of our own day. Even in the early part of the
present century, British authority was the London, Edinburgh and Dublin
colleges.
In our own country, previous to the organization of the American Medical
Association, about thirty-six years ago, there was very little system in
society work. That organization marks a new era in society usefulness.
From it sprung the International Medical Congress, making a unit of
medical investigation and progress of the world. We point with pride to
Philadelphia as the city in which the association was organized, and to
the able and determined stand our State has ever taken in sustaining and
strengthening it. It has been a power for good to American medicine. It
has elevated and is elevating the standard of our American medical
colleges.
The progress in society organization, work and usefulness in the last
thirty-six years is greater than in all American medical history
previous to that time. We had then a few isolated independent medical
societies without unity and without influence. We have at present a
society in almost every county, a State society in every State, all
united in an association and wielding an influence national and world
wide.
Great as the benefit has been to the profession at large, it has been
greater still to the individual practitioner. It has been to him a
post-graduate school.
In our societies A. meets B., B., C. and C., D. They compare their
investigations, experiences and theories, and each is benefited.
Our society enables us to know one another better. It is a true saying
that, “no man is as good as his best deed nor as bad as his worst.” Our
meeting in society aids us in striking the balance and makes us more
united, by forming and cementing friendships. They discourage quackery,
empiricism and everything that is professionally low and mean. They
encourage and stimulate purity, nobility and rectitude. They are a
strength to us medically and medico-legally. All that is necessary on
our part to secure us these benefits and many more which might be
enumerated, is to do our duty to our county, State and national
societies. I will now present to you what I believe to constitute at
least part of that duty.
_First._ Punctuality and regularity in attendance. This increases our
interest and gives the society strength.
_Second._ Support with our intellect. We may not all have an equal
number of talents, but he that has five should use them, and he that has
one should use it, and the use of that one may be just what the society
needs at the time.
If we have anything we think good in theory or practice, or any
interesting case, let us report to our society.
I believe everything presented should be in writing, for very few
physicians are good extemporaneous speakers, and all members should have
such notice of the subject of all papers to be read before the society
as will give them time to prepare for intelligent discussion; for unless
a man has a clear idea of his subject he is liable to wander off into a
labyrinth of side issues.
When appointed for a paper, we should have it ready and be on hand to
read it. We should have more papers published, and to better prepare
them for publication, each society should have an editor and a
publication committee, with ability and power to revise, correct and
publish papers and reports of the society.
_Third._ We should support our society with our influence. All have an
influence, and there is no neutral ground. It must be for or against.
Never was there a time when there was more need of the support of the
good men in the profession. The code of medical ethics has been
attacked. The American Medical association has been attacked.
An attempt has been made to make the one obnoxious and destroy the
harmony and usefulness of the other.
_Fourth._ We should be prompt in paying our dues and all other necessary
demands that may be made on us by our society. Negligence—for it is
seldom or never inability—on our part may not only embarrass the
society, but tend to destroy our interest in it.
I have a great regard for the Venango County Medical Society. It was the
first society I joined after graduating, over twenty years ago, and I
have always highly prized the friendships herein formed.
Death has taken some from us, good men and true, but I am pleased to see
that we are also adding to our number so many young men, and growing in
strength. Let us each do our part to keep up this growth, so that when
we are weighed in the balance we may not be found wanting.
I thank you for your kind aid and forbearance throughout the year. May
our society live long and prosper.
The Cleveland Medical Gazette.
_A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY._